Rhode Island Facts:Founder of Rhode Island : Roger Williams
Nickname: The Ocean State; Little Rhody
State Capital: Providence
Largest City: Providence
Est. Population in 2004: 1,080,632
Admission to the Union: May 29, 1790
The smallest State in the U. S.

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Rhode Island is a part of the New England region and was one of the 13 original
American Colonies that declared independence from British rule which started the American Revolution on May 4,
1776. The name Rhode Island refers to the largest Island in Narragansett Bay, also known as Aquidneck Island which
is where Newport is located. The state of Rhode Island, despite its name, isn't an island. It's just that from
every point in the state is within 30 miles of Sea Water, hence the
nickname the "Ocean State".

Providence Plantation was founded by Roger Williams in 1636. He was a baptist
minister fleeing from religios persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Other settlements were soon to follow.
Williams was sent to England by fellow citizens to secure a charter for the colony. Parliamentary patent was secure
in March in 1643. May 18, 1652, Rhode Island passed the first law in North America making slavery illegal. That's
how Rhode Island became the safe haven for people who were prosecuted for their beliefs such as the Baptists, Quakers,
and Jews. In 1663 a Royal Charter was given by Charles II of England. This charter guaranteed religious freedom
for all Christians and Jews.